Bastard GodProfanity could be offensive, but no one has heard of this phrase.Bloody Not really offensive to any group, seen as everyday sort of language God Least offensiveJesus Only offensive to one or two with religious convictions; for others it is mild, everyday wordJesus Christ Only offensive to one or two with religious convictions; for others it is a mild, everyday wordJesus Fucking Christ Profanity, very offensiveJesus Shitting Christ Profanity, very offensive

Body parts/Body functions

Arse Mild, not really offensive Arsehole Quite strong for some/ variation on thisBalls Quite mild for some, stronger for African-Caribbean parents Bollocks Mild language to most except one 55+ group who thinks quite offensiveBum Body part, mild, not really offensive to any groupCock Seen as quite offensive for some, especially older groups and British Asian females, with its sexual connotations. For others it is seen as a middle of the road sort of word. Crap Mild, not really offensive, toilet word, everyday languageCunt Most offensive word to majority, and never really acceptable (though some might occasionally use). Very strong word and particularly disliked by women.Dick Most find this 'body parts' type of word only mildly offensive Fart Not really offensive to any group, seen as everyday sort of languageKnob Can be used insultingly to men, but generally seen as quite inoffensive/mild/ 'playground word'Prick Playground wordPussy Some, esp. Women and older groups find this really offensiveShit Mild, toilet word, everyday language, not really offensive (though could be if used about a child/young person )Tits Playground word, mild, not offensiveTwat Very polarising; female sexual anatomy word; offensive esp. to British Asian females and some women from other groups, but many esp. men think it is an everyday word and quite mild

People with disabilities

Mong Several haven't heard of this word - polarising - many say is inoffensive, but after discussion see that it could be offensive in the way that 'retard' isNutter Although this comes into the category of offensive to people with mental ill health or learning difficulties, it is generally seen as very light (Much more so than retard and schizo) and most think it is not offensive at all.Retard Quite polarising: offensive because of it effectively refers to a disability, but many do not see this as an issue. A few do, however; for one it is the new 'spastic'; others find it really objectionableSchizo Quite polarising: offensive because it effectively refers to a disability, but many do not see this as an issue.Spastic Recognised as very offensive to most people, though a few think it is okay to use the word 'spas' or spaz

Sexual orientation

Batty Boy Unknown by most/older groups/ seen as mild slang by AfricanCaribbean and British Asian groups Dyke A word which can be used to be offensive to people because of their sexual orientation, though some older people think it is not offensive if used accurately/descriptively of a lesbian Faggot A word which can be used to be offensive to people because of their sexual orientation, though some older people think it is not offensive if used accurately/descriptively of a homosexualPoof Playground slang, mildly offensive word in the category of being insulting because of sexual orientation Queer Offensive to people because of their sexual orientation, but most think it is quite mild; several talk about the fact that the gay community has 'taken back' this word and uses it, so feel it cannot be so offensive, but some men would not like to be called this.

Ethnic words

Blaad Claat Only known by ethnic minorities and polarising; some think it's insulting, but others not really sure Bumbu Only known by one group - young African-Caribbean men who described it as 'playground' word Chi-chi man This is part of a group of words where you can insult people because of their sexual orientation; and seen as quite offensive by the African-Caribbean parent group, and potentially (if used aggressively) by the younger African-Caribbean males. Hardly anyone else knew what this word meant. Ho Only known by younger groups and those from ethnic minorities who are especially likely to think this is very offensive, especially women. For African-Caribbean men it can be used offensively. It is like bitch - not whore????. Hoochie Mild, not really offensive or playground word for those who know (younger and ethnic minority groups mainly) Punani Many are not sure what this word means; African-Caribbean groups and British Asians do know it and think it is offensive. Somewhat less offensive than cunt. Used in Ali G, became less offensive because he uses it.

Bastard Polarising - for some fairly middling, equivalent to bitch, for others very strong and offensiveBitch More likely to be found quite strong/offensive by AfricanCaribbean and British Asian parents/ most likely to be seen as playground or common word by younger groups Cocksucker For most this is strong and offensive, especially when used as insult to womenDickhead Somewhat polarising. Some young people and older groups find this really offensive, others feel it is quite mild Motherfucker Most offensive and most can't see any context when it would be acceptable Prickteaser Strongly offensive to women, especially when used about women; implies behaviour which is thought to be insulting/ plus they don't like the word Slag Most women find this moderately to strongly offensive - like all words referring to sexual behaviour Slut Most women find this moderately to strongly offensive - like all words referring to sexual behaviour Wanker Quite offensive to British Asian women and older men, but for most it is quite mild - equivalent to 'tosser' Whore Offensive, but especially to women, describes sexual behaviour; some men think it can be used in a jokey manner

Slang words for sex

Bonk Offensive to British Asian female parents but mild to other parental groups/young African-Caribbeans non-parents also think this could be offensive, but others think it is mild Bugger Least offensiveFuck/Fucking Strongly disliked by many, very offensive most of time, but occasional toe-stubbing use appears tolerated. 'Fuck off' is aggressive and seen as worse than 'fuck' 'Fucking' added to other words intensifies any offence Poke Somewhat polarising. Some, e.g. British Asian women find it very offensive, but many have not really come across this. Of those who have many find it quite mild Screw Mild, jokey, few find this offensive Shag Quite offensive, with sexual connotations for some (esp. British Asian) , middle of the road for others

Terms of racial/religious faith abuse

Chink A term of racial offence/abuse. However, this is polarising. Older and mainly white groups tend to think this is not usually used in an abusive way - e.g. let's go to the Chinky - which is not seen as offensive; younger groups and those from ethnic minorities feel this could be as insulting as 'paki' or 'nigger' Kyke Very few have heard of this; for those who have it comes into the racial insults category Nigger Racial abuse which is generally considered very offensive. "If I was called a fucking nigger, I'd be more upset by the nigger than by the fucking." (young African-Caribbean) Not offensive to some if taken into 'ownership' by Africans/AfricanCaribbeans themselves and used among their peer group. Paki Racial abuse which is generally considered very offensive. Not offensive to some if taken into 'ownership' by British Asians/Pakistanis and used peer to peer. However, some (white) people think it is non-offensive to talk about going to the Paki. Papist One Scottish group considers this quite strong/ insulting, but most have no opinion. Many of the other groups don't know this word Pikey Most don't really have an opinion about this word and older people don't know it. Some young people (including young African-Caribbeans) jokingly call their friends pikeys and don't think it is offensive Spade Many do not know this word; very offensive racial abuse to those who do know (Africans/African-Caribbeans) Yid Many do not know this word; offensive racial abuse to some who do know (though one talks about taking back ownership of the word which has taken out the sting)